Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Emperor's Favor

The evening air carried a subtle chill as Yun Dao guided Lady Yu slowly to the rear courtyard of Hui Study. This was where the Empress Dowager took her daily rest, a tranquil space furnished with tea tables and books, meant for her leisure and recuperation.

Lady Yu seldom visited this place, for her presence here signified the Empress Dowager’s ill mood—a tacit understanding shared among the palace attendants closest to her, of which Lady Yu was one. The blue lotus robes brushed against her high-soled shoes, and as she walked into the wind, she resembled a blossoming lotus, dignified and graceful.

In the courtyard, the Empress Dowager was pouring tea, her slender, elegant fingers untouched by age, though the silver at her temples betrayed the passage of time. She wore simple, sturdy garments, moving with practiced ease, and her hair was adorned with a wooden phoenix hairpin, its wings forever poised in flight—a quiet grace that nonetheless revealed her noble status.

In this moment, the Empress Dowager seemed less an exalted matriarch and more a gentlewoman of an ordinary household.

Lady Yu noticed the Empress Dowager awaiting her, as Eunuch Yun Dao silently withdrew. Her heart remained calm, untroubled by tension or fear. After years spent in the Empress Dowager’s company, she had learned her temperament—she would not lose her temper, wary of harming her health, but her words were sharp, leaving others speechless. Lady Yu would not grant her such an opportunity, not even to the Empress Dowager.

“Your Majesty, Xiao'er has arrived, awaiting your instructions,” Lady Yu said directly, her tone respectful yet steady.

“Since you’re here, sit down,” the Empress Dowager replied, glancing at Lady Yu’s stubborn expression, uncertain whether to laugh or be vexed. “There’s no need to act as if you’re negotiating; relax.”

The wisdom of age spoke, and with a single sentence, the Empress Dowager eased Lady Yu’s heart.

“I’ve come purposely to receive your guidance, Your Majesty. It’s true that I handled this matter poorly,” Lady Yu admitted earnestly, accepting fault though she intended to turn circumstances to her favor.

“I told you, I invited you here to share tea and discuss philosophy, not to instruct you. Besides, Lady Yu, after so many years in the palace, you ought to know the ways of conduct,” the Empress Dowager said, raising her brows with a hint of sternness.

“Yes,” Lady Yu replied, uncertain, lifting her delicate hand to take a cup of tea, appearing attentive.

“But you are, after all, still young and spirited, prone to misjudgment. I’ve watched you rise step by step, from lady to noble consort. Alas, you are but one step from becoming queen. Let’s set aside other matters; whether you attain the queen’s rank is irrelevant. Most important is how much affection Wu Qing holds for you. Xiao'er, do you believe one-sided love will ever be repaid?” The Empress Dowager’s words were heartfelt, her kindly face tinged with pity.

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?” Lady Yu furrowed her brow.

“Do you think I haven’t noticed? I see your feelings for Wu Qing plainly. You are too deep in love—inevitably, you will suffer.”

Too deep in love—inevitably, you will suffer...

She stared blankly at the porcelain cup on the table, small and delicate, painted with a pair of bamboo stalks leaning together—quiet, refined.

“Enough, I won’t say more. But as someone who has been through this, you must understand: ‘The imperial house is most heartless.’” The Empress Dowager, shrewd and experienced, watched Lady Yu’s expression, recognizing the struggle and clarity warring in her eyes.

“I understand your meaning, Your Majesty. But even if it means ruin, I will continue down this path,” Yu Xiao replied, raising her head. Though her face was soft and lovely as a peach blossom, her beautiful eyes shone with determination.

Even if she were a moth drawn to flame, she would not hesitate, seeking a chance for herself, regardless of whether he was an indifferent emperor or a devoted, love-blind husband.

Seeing Yu Xiao’s resolve, the Empress Dowager was momentarily surprised, then suddenly laughed, the sound both hearty and self-mocking. Yu Xiao reminded her of her own youthful self—innocent and fearless—but where the Empress Dowager had once gained what she sought, Yu Xiao had never known imperial favor.

“If your feelings run so deep, I’ll grant you this chance,” the Empress Dowager said, her eyes gleaming with something strange.

It was common knowledge that upon returning to the palace, the King’s first stop was the Queen’s Anxue Palace, not to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, as a dutiful son should. Thus, the long-quiet Hui Study stirred with rare activity, for the Empress Dowager intended to keep the King for dinner, a mother and son sharing a meal and heartfelt conversation. This was unprecedented; though their relationship had always been good, such evenings were exceedingly rare.

When Ji Wu Qing received the Empress Dowager’s handwritten invitation from Hui Study, his gaze sharpened, his expression half amused, half inscrutable.

He sighed regretfully, “It’s a pity Xue’er is still ill, or she could accompany me to Hui Study for a meal and some leisure time.” He set the letter aside, the white paper bearing bold, upright black characters—firm and clear.

The message read, “I know my son has returned. I have missed you dearly. Thus, this evening, I have arranged a banquet in Hui Study. My son must attend.” It was a mother’s drama, the words weighted with deep affection.

Night deepened, and the palace lights shone bright. Guards patrolled quietly, their steps soft as they moved back and forth. Each palace closed its doors, enveloped in peaceful night.

Plum blossoms bloomed silently in the courtyard, releasing their fragrance to the wind.

The bedchamber was set for a meal, all dishes light and simple. A small table of catalpa wood stood beside the wide bed. On the bed, a little red fox lay obediently on the edge, staring intently at the congee and small dishes—not because it cared for the food, but out of lazy distraction.

“Mother, it’s only been a day, how have you fallen ill?” The little girl lay beside the fox, her bright eyes scrutinizing Xue Xue, with a mischievous glint.

“Do I look ill?” Xue Xue gave no answer, but asked in return.

“Mother doesn’t look sick, just tired,” Xiao Xi’er said, climbing up and touching her mother’s pale cheek with a small hand, then solemnly declared, her round face adorably puffed.

Her hair was styled in two buns, tied with blue ribbons, and her clothes were soft pink. With her chubby cheeks, she was the very image of a sticky rice dumpling.

“Your Majesty, the King has sent word that he will not join you for dinner tonight; the Empress Dowager has invited him to Hui Study,” Yu Zhi reported as she entered, having just greeted the King’s messenger.

“Very well, I understand,” Xue Xue replied, and said no more.

“Good! That means the old man won’t compete for mother’s attention!” Xiao Xi’er cheered, unable to contain her delight.

“Your Highness, if the King comes to Anxue Palace tonight, you’ll still have trouble,” Yu Zhi smiled, knowing well the ongoing rivalry between the princess and the King.

“That won’t do. I must bathe now and sleep with mother—so he can’t monopolize her!” With that, Xiao Xi’er nimbly rolled off the bed and ran to the bath chamber. Yu Zhi quickly sent a maid to assist her.

“Such a noisy little thing,” Xue Xue murmured, shaking her head.

“Your Majesty, I have one more matter to report,” Yu Zhi said, smiling at her mistress’s calm demeanor, probing gently.

“Speak,” Xue Xue nodded, lifting her congee.

“I heard the Empress Dowager invited not only the King to Hui Study, but also Lady Yu. So, I boldly speculate the Empress Dowager’s intentions—perhaps she means to elevate Lady Yu…”

“Perhaps she intends to thank Lady Yu for her attentive service,” Xue Xue replied, pausing in her meal.

“That’s true, Your Majesty. Lady Yu’s relationship with the Empress Dowager is quite close, more so than even with her own niece. But I worry things may change…”

“I understand your meaning,” Xue Xue said softly, ending the conversation.

Yu Zhi wisely said no more, standing respectfully by.

The bedchamber quieted. The little fox continued dozing on the edge of the bed, its red eyes unfocused, staring at the purple brocade quilt.

Xue Xue ate her congee in silence, her expression unreadable.

Only she herself knew what she felt.

Her heart beat with a certain panic. Ever since she suspected Qi Wanliang had been secretly targeted, Yu Xiao had given her a different feeling.

Yu Xiao was gentle and classically beautiful, beyond dispute. Her feelings for Ji Wu Qing were also unquestionable—perhaps deeper than Xue Xue's own. So, from the moment Yu Xiao acted against Qi Wanliang, a quiet tension had begun to grow between them.

Now, Yu Xiao and the Empress Dowager were aligned, and with the Empress Dowager hosting a banquet for Ji Wu Qing and Yu Xiao in Hui Study...

In the end, Xue Xue set aside her jade-green porcelain bowl and leaned against the cushion on the bed, her heart heavy, uncertain how best to think or act.